Heat pump vs electric boiler
Heat pump vs electric boiler
An electric boiler is 100% efficient; a heat pump is 300–400%. That gap makes this the biggest running-cost saving of any switch. Here's the honest comparison.
Compare: vs Gas boiler vs Oil boiler vs LPG boiler vs Electric
If you heat with an electric boiler or direct/storage electric heating, a heat pump is usually the single most cost-effective upgrade available — because the efficiency difference is so large. Here's the honest comparison.
Running costs: heat pump vs electric boiler
An electric boiler turns one unit of electricity into one unit of heat. A heat pump turns one unit of electricity into three to four units of heat. Same warmth, far less electricity — which is why this is typically the biggest saving of any switch.
| System | Indicative annual cost |
|---|---|
| Electric boiler / direct electric | highest running cost |
| Air source heat pump | far lower — often £600–£1,500 less |
See your own estimate with the savings calculator.
The grant for electric-heated homes
Homes replacing standard electric heating qualify for the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, deducted from your invoice before you pay. Full detail on the grant page.
Comfort and carbon
You keep the simplicity of an all-electric home but cut both running costs and carbon, since you're using far less electricity for the same heat. For most electrically heated homes, the case is the strongest of all.
Common questions
Is a heat pump cheaper to run than an electric boiler?
Yes, substantially. An electric boiler (or direct/storage electric heating) converts one unit of electricity into one unit of heat. A heat pump delivers three to four units of heat per unit of electricity, so it uses far less power for the same warmth — usually the biggest running-cost saving of any switch.
How much can I save switching from electric heating?
Because the efficiency gain is so large, many homes save in the region of £600–£1,500 a year versus direct or storage electric heating, depending on usage and tariff. It's often the most cost-effective switch a household can make.
Do electric-heated homes qualify for the grant?
Yes. Homes replacing standard electric heating qualify for the standard £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant. (The higher £9,000 uplift is specifically for off-grid oil and LPG homes.)
Heat pump vs electric boiler — which is better?
For nearly every home, the heat pump. An electric boiler is cheap to install but expensive to run because it's only 100% efficient; a heat pump costs more upfront but is 300–400% efficient, so it pays back through far lower running costs, helped by the grant.
See your numbers for switching from electric heating
The calculator shows your system size, install cost, the grant applied and your running-cost change — honestly.